Fellows-in-Training Newsletter
Fellows: Be A Mentor!
Joy Cuezze, Medical Student
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Geriatric fellows-in-training have a unique chance to impact the future
of geriatrics: mentor a student! As a medical student who is very interested
in a career in geriatrics, I can attest to how important a supportive
and encouraging a mentor can be to a budding career. My mentor discussed
a career in geriatrics with me during my first few months of medical school,
and I have gone on to do research in geriatrics, develop a geriatric interest
group at my school, and get involved at the national level. She has given
me support and encouragement along the way and is currently advising me
on options for residency.
Fellows have an equal opportunity to foster interest in geriatrics among
students. Perhaps the best way is through the student geriatrics group
at your institution. Get involved in some of their activities, give suggestions
for new activities, and match students with other fellows or faculty who
can serve as mentors. If there is not a geriatric student group at your
institution, start one! A website dedicated to students is under development
through the Center on Aging at the University of Kansas.
The site will provide a link from the AGS website and will include information
about how to start a student group. The impact of such mentoring could
be enormous. Only two students in my third year medical school class have
an interest in geriatrics. During the past two years, the faculty of the
University of Kansas Center on Aging have made a determined effort to
get involved in and support student activities. They have served as mentors
for student research, they have funded student trips to AGS national meetings,
and they have been speakers at our student group meetings. There are now
as many as ten students in the first year class who have a real interest
in a career in geriatrics.
At the University of Kansas we feel the need to increase geriatricians.
We strive to encourage all students to learn about the unique and complex
health needs of older adults. Our student group includes students from
the fields of physical therapy, nursing, and pharmacy.
The American Geriatrics Society has been working to increase involvement
in geriatrics at the student level. At the 1999 national meeting, the
first annual student meeting was held. Interested students from many different
academic institutions found themselves among friends. Recently, the AGS
announced an initiative to increase student members by encouraging professional
members to sponsor the $25 student membership fee.
As fellows, you have recognized the importance of the field of
geriatrics. By mentoring students at your institution, you have
the chance to really make an impact on the future of geriatrics.
|
